U.S. patent application number 13/004978 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for spill/leak resistant seal for a wicking device.
This patent application is currently assigned to S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.. Invention is credited to Jason L. Halonen, Christopher S. Hoppe.
Application Number | 20110168802 13/004978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43708917 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110168802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoppe; Christopher S. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
Spill/Leak Resistant Seal for a Wicking Device
Abstract
A sealing member is disclosed for use with a wick of a diffuser,
or the like. The sealing member seals a vessel containing a liquid
in a fluid chamber. The sealing member may be composed of a
malleable material that may also be resistant to a liquid fragrance
contained in the vessel. The sealing member may include a body,
flaps and an opening for receiving a wick therethrough. The sealing
member may form a persistent seal when a wick is inserted
therethrough, while at the same time allowing venting to the fluid
chamber.
Inventors: |
Hoppe; Christopher S.;
(Milwaukee, WI) ; Halonen; Jason L.; (Racine,
WI) |
Assignee: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON,
INC.
Racine
WI
|
Family ID: |
43708917 |
Appl. No.: |
13/004978 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61294340 |
Jan 12, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/44 ; 277/312;
277/628 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/127 20130101;
A61L 2209/133 20130101; A61L 2209/134 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/44 ; 277/628;
277/312 |
International
Class: |
A61L 9/04 20060101
A61L009/04; F16J 15/02 20060101 F16J015/02 |
Claims
1. A sealing member comprising a body including a plurality of
flaps movable between a first position and a second position, the
flaps in the second position defining an opening through the body,
each flap having a sealing surface configured to receive and seal
against an inserted wick while forming a vent through the body.
2. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is
comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer.
3. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is
comprised of a thermoplastic olefin.
4. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is
comprised of silicone.
5. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is
fragrance resistant.
6. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flaps in
the first position define a substantially H-shaped slit.
7. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the vent is substantially
triangular in shape.
8. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is
substantially planar when the flaps are disposed in the first
position.
9. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is
resilient and has a durometer of about 30 to about 100 Shore A.
10. The sealing member of claim 1, wherein a portion of each flap
is breakable from the body.
11. An apparatus comprising: a vessel substantially enclosing a
fluid chamber, the vessel having a top defining an orifice
therethrough into the fluid chamber; and a sealing member covering
the orifice, the sealing member comprising a body including a
plurality of flaps movable between a first position and a second
position, the flaps in the second position defining an opening
through the body and orifice into the fluid chamber, each flap
having a sealing surface configured to receive and seal against an
inserted wick while forming a vent through the body and orifice
into the fluid chamber.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sealing member is
adhered to the top of the vessel.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sealing member is
interference fit in the top of the vessel.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sealing member is
fragrance resistant.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of flaps in
the first position define a substantially H-shaped slit.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a wick inserted
through the opening and orifice into the fluid chamber, wherein the
apparatus has a gap index in the range of about 0.001 to about
50.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a wick inserted
through the opening and orifice into the fluid chamber, wherein the
apparatus has a flap index in the range of about 0.001 to about
50.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of each
flap is breakable from the body.
19. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a wick inserted
through the opening and orifice into the fluid chamber, wherein the
apparatus has a fill index in the range of about 0.001 to about
100.
20. A method of sealing a liquid in a vessel, the method
comprising: providing a wick, a vessel containing a liquid and
having a top defining an orifice therethrough, and a sealing member
covering the orifice, the sealing member comprising a flexible body
including a plurality of flaps movable between a first position and
a second position; moving the flaps into the second position by
inserting a portion of the wick through the sealing member and the
orifice into the liquid contained in the vessel; forming, between
the wick and the sealing member, a vent extending through the
sealing member and the orifice into the vessel; and sealing the
liquid in the vessel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit under 35 USC
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/294,340, filed
on Jan. 12, 2010.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure pertains to seals, and more
particularly, to spill and/or leak resistant seals for wicking
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Among the different types of fragrance emitters currently
available, the passive designs of diffusers are increasingly
gaining more consumer attention. Such diffusers generally provide a
liquid fragrance and a reed or comparable wicking device that is
exposed to its environment to passively and slowly emit the
fragrance over time. Inexpensive refills along with extra reeds or
wicks may be readily available for purchase. In addition to
providing pleasant aesthetics, ease of use and cost-effectiveness
are among some other factors for the growing popularity of such
diffusers.
[0004] However, one substantial drawback associated with passive
diffusers pertains to the containment of the liquid fragrance.
Typically, the refill or vessel holding the liquid fragrance of
such a diffuser is open and exposed to allow a consumer to place as
many reeds or wicks into the fragrance as he or she pleases. As
such, currently existing diffusers filled with liquid fragrances
are prone to spilling once tipped over, shaken, or the like. There
is no effective seal which resists such spillage or leakage while
also providing a passage through which reeds or wicks are inserted.
Although some seals exist which prevent leakage of a fragrance
prior to initial use, once such seals are removed or broken, there
is nothing to resist spills or leaks during normal usage. Further,
some seals may deteriorate over time from persistently being in
contact with a fragrance.
[0005] Based on the foregoing it can be seen that a need exists for
a seal for a wicking device of a diffuser which resists spills or
leaks therefrom. There is also a need for a seal which prevents
leaks of refill containers prior to initial use, but that allows
for venting and continues to provide an effective seal during
normal use. Additionally, there is a need for a seal composed of a
material that is unaffected by the liquid fragrance being used.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a sealing
member is disclosed. The sealing member may comprise a body
including a plurality of flaps movable between a first position and
a second position. When in the second position, the flaps may
define an opening through the body. Each flap may have a sealing
surface configured to receive and seal against an inserted wick
while forming a vent through the body.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a
diffusing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a
vessel and a sealing member. The vessel may substantially enclose a
fluid chamber and may have a top defining an orifice therethrough
into the fluid chamber. The sealing member may cover the orifice,
and may comprise a body including a plurality of flaps movable
between a first position and a second position. The flaps in the
second position may define an opening through the body and orifice
into the fluid chamber. Each flap may have a sealing surface
configured to receive and seal against an inserted wick while
forming a vent through the body and orifice into the fluid
chamber.
[0008] In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, a
method of sealing a liquid in a vessel is disclosed. The method may
comprise providing a wick, a vessel containing a liquid and having
a top defining an orifice therethrough, and a sealing member
covering the orifice. The sealing member may comprise a flexible
body including a plurality of flaps movable between a first
position and a second position. The method may further comprise
moving the flaps into the second position by inserting a portion of
the wick through the sealing member and the orifice into the liquid
contained in the vessel, forming, between the wick and the sealing
member, a vent extending through the sealing member and the orifice
into the vessel, and sealing the liquid in the vessel.
[0009] These and other aspects in this disclosure will become more
readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary diffusing
apparatus having an exemplary sealing member constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded cut away view of the exemplary
diffusing apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 a cut-away view of the exemplary diffusing apparatus
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
sealing member in accordance with the teachings of the
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sealing member of FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the sealing member, along the
lines 6-6 in FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the sealing member, vessel and
wick, along the lines 7-7 in FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the sealing member and wick,
along the lines 8-8 in FIG. 9; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sealing
member, wick and vessel rotated so that the vessel is lying on its
side.
[0019] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative
embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be
described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that
there is no intention to limit the present invention to the
specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to
cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents
falling with the scope of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The present disclosure provides a sealing member for use
with a diffusing apparatus or the like having a wick, wicking
device or reed (collectively, "wick") and vessel. More
specifically, the sealing member may be disposed over an orifice in
the vessel or refill container of such a diffusing apparatus and
may be configured to prevent or resist the contents of the vessel
or refill container from spilling or leaking, when the vessel or
refill container is tipped over, shaken, or the like.
[0021] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary diffusing apparatus 100
comprising a vessel 102, a wick 104 and a sealing member 106. The
vessel 102 may have a top 108 and a bottom 110 and may
substantially enclose a fluid chamber 112. The top 108 of the
vessel 102 may define an orifice 114 therethrough into the fluid
chamber 112. The vessel 102 may contain in the fluid chamber 112
fragrance, air freshener, active material or other liquid
(collectively, "liquid") desired to be diffused into the air.
[0022] A wick 104 may be disposed partially in the liquid 118
contained in the fluid chamber 112 and partially outside of the
vessel 102. The liquid 118 may be drawn up the wick 104 and
diffused to the air outside of the vessel 102, as is known in the
art. The wick may be comprised of plastic, natural materials such
as wood or cotton, or may be a synthetic, for example
polyester.
[0023] The diffusing apparatus may in some embodiments also
comprise a cover 116 disposed over some or all of the vessel 102
and wick 104. In some embodiments, the cover 116 may support the
wick 104 and/or vessel 102.
[0024] The sealing member 106, or "seal," may be disposed on the
vessel 102 covering the orifice 114. In one embodiment, the sealing
member 106 may be adhered to the top 108 of the vessel 102. In
another embodiment, the sealing member 106 may be interference fit
in the top 108 of the vessel 102, as is known in the art.
[0025] The sealing member 106 may provide a flexible or an
initially breakable opening 128 therein through which a wick may be
inserted. The sealing member 106 and the associated opening 128 may
be configured to receive a wick in any number of ways including,
but not limited to, the configurations as taught by U.S. Pat. No.
7,441,755, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0026] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one embodiment of the sealing member
106. The sealing member 106 may comprise a body 120 including a
plurality of flaps 122 movable between a first position 124 and a
second position 126 (see FIG. 7). When in the first position 124
(FIGS. 2 and 4-6), the sealing member 106 may be substantially
planar and may be disposed parallel to a surface of the vessel 102,
such as the top 108 surface. The flaps 122 may be so aligned over
the orifice 114 to open into the orifice 114 when the flaps 122 are
moved to the second position 126 (FIG. 7).
[0027] The flaps 122 may define an opening 128 through which a
portion of the wick 104 may be inserted through the body 120 and
the orifice 114 and into the fluid chamber 112. In one embodiment,
when the flaps 122 are in the first position 124, the opening 128
may be a slit that may be substantially H-shaped. In another
embodiment, the opening 128 may be a wave shape or other
appropriate shape. In yet another embodiment, the opening 128 may
be an H-shaped slot instead of a slit, or the opening 128 may be
H-shaped with a portion of the H-shape a slit and a portion a slot.
When the flaps 122 are disposed in the first position 124, the
shape of the opening 128 is not limited to an H-shape or to the
dimensional width of a slit or a slot; other appropriate shapes and
widths of the opening 128 may be used without departing from the
spirit of the disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a sealing member 106
with an exemplary wick 104 inserted therethrough into the fluid
chamber 112 of a vessel 102 containing a liquid 118 to be diffused.
The portion of the wick 104 so inserted may be referred to herein
as the dipping portion 130 of the wick 104. The flaps 122 of the
sealing member 106 are shown in FIG. 7 in one embodiment of the
second position 126. As can be seen in FIG. 7, when the dipping
portion 130 of the wick 104 is inserted through the opening 128 in
the sealing member 106, the flaps 122 may be biased to the second
position 126 by the dipping portion 130 of the wick. Each flap 122
may have a sealing surface 132 that receives and seals against the
outside surface of the inserted dipping portion 130 of the wick
104. The dipping portion of the wick 104 may fit snugly against
substantially all or most of the surfaces of the sealing member 106
that are in contact with the wick 104 such as the sealing surfaces
132 of the flaps and a portion of each side surface 136 of the
sealing member 106. A persistent seal may be formed such that if
the vessel is tipped on its side, as shown in FIG. 9, the seal
formed by the sealing member 106 prevents or resists the liquid 118
in the fluid chamber 112 from leaking out of the vessel 102 through
the opening 128 in the sealing member 106.
[0029] The dimensions of the wick and seal are of importance and
lend to improved diffusion and spill avoidance when selected within
ranges identified by the inventors. For example, in an embodiment,
the fill index (T/S) may be in the range of about 0.001 to about
100 wherein T is the wick thickness and S is the sealing member
thickness. In an embodiment, the gap index (T/W) may be in the
range of about 0.001 to about 50 wherein T is the wick thickness
and W is the seal width. The seal width W may be measured from the
perimeter of the sealing member 106 across a flap 122 to the
inserted wick 104, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The flap index (S/W),
in an embodiment, may in the range of about 0.001 to about 50,
wherein S is the sealing member thickness and W is the seal
width.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the sealing member 106 may be
configured to form at least one vent 134 when the wick is received
in the opening 128 of the sealing member 106. When the flaps 122
are disposed in the second position 126, an air vent 134 may be
formed by the sealing member 106 and extend through the sealing
member 106 and the orifice 114 and into the fluid chamber 112 of
the vessel 102. The vent 134 aids in the drawing of the liquid 118
up the wick 104 for diffusion into the surrounding atmosphere. In
an embodiment, the dimensions of the vent 134 may be such that the
largest diameter of the vent may be greater than zero to about
0.010 inches (or 0.0254 centimeters).
[0031] In the event 134 that the vessel 102 is tipped over on its
side as illustrated in FIG. 9, the size of the diameter of the vent
134, in conjunction with the surface tension of the liquid 118,
keeps or resists droplets of the liquid 118 from leaking out of the
vessel 102 through the vent 134. In one embodiment, the vent 134
may be substantially triangular in shape with a height (or
diameter) in the range of greater than zero to about 0.010 inches
(or 0.0254 centimeters). In other embodiments, other shapes may be
used for the vent 134. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
8-9, a plurality of vents 134 may be formed when the flaps 122 move
to the second position 126. For example, in an exemplary embodiment
shown in FIGS. 3 and 8-9, a vent 134 is formed in each of the four
corners of the sealing member 106.
[0032] The sealing member 106 may be composed of a material that is
substantially resistant to the fragrance contained in the vessel
102, which it serves to seal, so as to prevent deterioration of the
sealing member 106.
[0033] The opening 128 may be configured to be sealed shut prior to
initial use. In some embodiments, the opening 128 of the sealing
member 106 may be "breakable" meaning that the opening 128 may need
to be initially punctured or broken open to allow for the initial
or first-time insertion of a wick 104 and/or to allow for venting.
In such an arrangement, a portion of each flap 122 may be broken
away from the body 120 in order to move the flaps 122 from the
first position 124 to the second position 126. In such embodiments
where the opening 128 is breakable, the sealing member 106 may be
reused to provide a seal around a different wick 104 after the
original wick 104 is removed. Such reuse of the sealing member 106,
generally does not require the opening 128 to be punctured or
broken open again prior to the insertion of a replacement wick 104.
Such a sealing member 106 with a breakable opening 128 provides a
leak-tight seal (regardless of whether the sealing member 106 is
used with the initial wick 104 or a subsequent replacement wick
104) that prevents or resists the leaking of the liquid 118 out of
the opening 128 should the vessel 102 be shaken or tipped over. In
an embodiment, a sealing member 106 with a breakable opening 128
may be made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, or other
chemically resistant resins that may be sheared without much
stretching. In one embodiment, the durometer of such a material may
be in the range of about 10 to about 100 Shore A. In another
embodiment, the durometer of such a material may be in the range of
about 70 to about 100 Shore A. In another embodiment, the durometer
of such a material may be in the range of about 10 to about 50
Shore D. In yet another embodiment, the durometer of such a
material may be in the range of about 22 to about 50 Shore D.
[0034] In other embodiments, the opening 128 of the sealing member
106 may not need to be punctured for first-time or initial use but
the sealed opening 128 may be pushed open by the insertion of the
wick 104 therethrough, regardless of whether it is the first time a
wick 104 is inserted or a subsequent insertion of a replacement
wick 104 after the initial wick 104 has been removed. In an
embodiment, the material from which the sealing member 106 may be
made may be sufficiently resilient and elastic and the durometer of
the material may be such that the opening 128 reseals itself after
the removal of an inserted wick 104.
[0035] Such a sealing member 106 with a resealing opening 128
provides a leak-tight seal that prevents or resists the leaking of
the liquid 118 out of the opening 128 should the vessel 102 be
shaken or tipped over. A leak-tight seal may be provided on the
vessel 102 regardless of whether the sealing member 106 is used
with the initial wick 104, a subsequent replacement wick 104 or in
the absence of a wick (for example, after the removal of an
inserted wick 104). In an embodiment, a sealing member 106 with a
resealing opening 128 may be made of a silicone rubber,
thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic olefin or comparable
material with a durometer in the range of about 30 to about 100
Shore A.
[0036] In operation, when a sealing member 106 made of a resealing
material is used, a wick 104 may be inserted into a vessel 102 by
moving the flaps 122 from the first position 124 into the second
position 126 by inserting the dipping portion 130 of the wick 104
through the opening 128 in the sealing member 106 and through the
orifice 114 into the liquid 118 contained in the vessel 102. The
position of the flaps 122 of the sealing member 106 may form a vent
134 between the wick 104 and the sealing member 106. The vent 134
may extend through the sealing member 106 and the orifice 114 into
the vessel 102. The sealing surface of each flap 122 may be
disposed against the wick 104 and may form a persistent seal that
resists or prevents spilling or leaking of the liquid, when the
vessel is tipped over, shaken, or the like. In some embodiments,
the flaps 122 may conform to the shape of the wick 104. After
removal of the inserted wick 104, the sealing member 106 may return
to the first position 124 from the second position 126 and the
opening 128 may be sealed shut such that the sealing member 106
resists or prevents spilling or leaking of the liquid when the
vessel 102 is tipped over, shaken, or the like. The sealing member
106 may be reused with another wick 104 in the same way as
described above.
[0037] In operation, when a sealing member 106 has a breakable
opening 128, the opening 128 may be initially punctured open. The
flaps 122 may then be moved from the first position 124 into the
second position 126 by inserting the dipping portion 130 of the
wick 104 through the broken opening 128 in the sealing member 106
and through the orifice 114 into the liquid 118 contained in the
vessel 102. The position of the flaps 122 of the sealing member 106
may form a vent 134 between the wick 104 and the sealing member
106. The vent 134 may extend through the sealing member 106 and the
orifice 114 into the vessel 102. The sealing surface of each flap
122 may be disposed against the wick to form a persistent seal that
resists or prevents spilling or leaking of the liquid, when the
vessel is tipped over, shaken, or the like. After removal of the
wick 104 from the sealing member 106, the sealing member 106 with
an initially breakable opening 128 may be reused with another wick
104 in the same way as described above except that, once initially
broken, the opening may not need to be broken again for subsequent
use with a replacement wick 104.
[0038] The use of the terms "a", "an","the" and similar referents
in the context of describing the invention (especially in the
context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both
the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values
herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0039] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated
embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting
the scope of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0040] The sealing member may be used to seal an orifice of a
vessel of a diffusing apparatus. A wick may be inserted through the
sealing member into liquid contained in the vessel. The sealing
member may be configured to seal against the inserted wick so that
the liquid in the vessel is prevented or resisted from spilling or
leaking, when the vessel is tipped over, shaken, or the like.
* * * * *